Strange, but so fun

We recently began kicking off our weekends with a movie night--blankets spread on the den floor, eating take out udon noddles galore. It's a nice, relaxing way to end the work week during the cold weather that prevents us from grilling and hanging out in the yard.

Friday night got a little weird. Henry grew another head.
A sock monkey head... and arms!He loved it.
Daddy has good ideas for being silly.

On the heels of our "What's in excess in your Christmas celebration?" lesson...

We are so thankful for our friends the Walkers, who, after just having a baby boy, brother to big sister Helen, offered to host our Sunday School Christmas party.  We're not just thankful for their hosting prowess.  We're also grateful for their imparting of a Christmas tradition--touring the best residential Christmas light... no.  Wait.  The best Christmas light display in Greenville County.  The lights are, quite simply, astounding.  They cover everything in this yard.  Everything and more.  If there is a photo that looks like something isn't covered in lights, it's only because a portion of the display is also synchronized to music and the shutter caught it on an off beat. 

It was our second tour, and here we were last year:

There wasn't really time for Henry to stop and pose with both of us this year.  He.  loved.  it.  

We got some good shots of most of the kids, although we're missing a couple either due to a more captivating light display/ inflatable motorcycle Santa or the real (driveway) Santa who dared to offer candy canes to the little kids.

Thanks, again, Walkers!  This tradition is one we hope never ends.  (Let us know if you get tired of hosting, though.)

Life Lessons

I somehow have my iGoogle set to include a quote of the day, and I love, love this one I happened to notice today.  I find the original quote really annoying but cannot wait to teach Henry these valuable truths:

Dance like it hurts,/ Love like you need money,/ Work when people are watching. - Scott Adams

Getting Ready

Henry is hanging out with Grandjane and Grandjoe while Daddy and I get ready to attend a Christmas party.

Here are some photos of Henry and the rest getting ready for Christmas.  Cory and I both agree that this year us very special.  Henry is really getting into it--requesting that we all sing Rudolph, Jingle Bells, and Santa Cause Come to Town.  

We kicked it off with a trip through the Roper Mountain Christmas light display, which apparently has a foot path portion now.  Henry loved it, although you can't really tell from his expression in this particular photo.

He has a special affinity for snowmen decorations, so we seized this photo opportunity at Roper Mountain lights: 

Our favorite light display... the Christmas Caterpillar

Henry liked the sleigh OK but was mainly into the lighted gifts

Putting up our Christmas tree involved lots of kisses and a train set that is supposed to go around the tree but, it turns out, is much more fun running all around the living area.

We also gave into an invitation to sit outside for the Greenville Christmas Parade.  It was so, so cold.  Once the parade got started, Henry loved it and shouted, "Merry Christmas!" to the floats. 

He got licked by a dog that I want to adopt, and, of course, we saw Santa!

Daddy got in a good camera toss.  Here is what our tree looks like when the camera is slung and the shutter is set for a very slow speed.  Not bad for a novice tosser, huh? 

Mule

Henry, Daddy, and I went to Horizon Records for a mini Government Mule concert tonight. It was Henry's second time to see Warren Haynes. I think Daddy is hoping he's either going to be a big fan or at least pick up on Warren's work ethic.

I had my little Sony camera with me and managed to get a couple of shots of Henry's favorite parts of the concert.

The Elvis clock:
And the crates of vinyl:
Henry had fun, especially since we brought snacks. Daddy didn't really want any, but Henry insisted. I had fun, too, and can't think of a better way to end a stressful work day than at a concert that ends before Henry's bedtime.

Another Thanksgiving

Henry chose the pose for this Thanksgiving photo.

It's a little odd to me that Henry is having second holidays--Halloween, Thanksgiving... it's just sort of surreal.  The good thing, though, is that holidays are really, really good with our little guy.  It's also nice to spend time with our family and watch Henry enjoy his aunts, uncles, cousins (of some sort), and grandparents.  

Thanksgiving is our favorite.  It means time with family then time with family at the beach. Time to sit on the couch, walk on the beach, watch football, and read books.  Henry did all of these things.  

He knows the drill, and it's only his second Thanksgiving!

Two Men and a Birthday

Yesterday, Henry's Daddy and Mama's Daddy had their birthday!
December 1st was a good day to be born.